FAMOUS mystery and magic artist, Lisa Parker, was the guest of honour at Enchant & Allure in New Street Ledbury, for the launch of a new gallery space.

The shop plans to hold regular exhibitions in an upstairs room, called "The Grand Room".

Owner Helen Moody said of the recent launch: "The day was buzzing with excitement as well over 200 people came to meet Lisa and chat with her about her awe-inspiring work.

"From young to old, local to further a field, including Birmingham, Cheltenham and Oxford, people came to meet her and get one of her newly released 2017 calendars signed."

She added:"Signings took place in the Grand Room, which was dressed entirely with Lisa’s work and short listed entries for the art competition ran in her honour.

"It’s easy to understand how Lisa’s work inspires so much acclaim. She has exhibited her work in many prestigious locations including The Mall galleries in London and Madison Avenue in New York. Lisa's unique and seamless infusion of perfect animal form with mystical overtures has rightfully placed her as one of the leading international fantasy artists of our time."

An art competition was held for the children of Ledbury schools to create a fantasy picture, to be judged by Lisa on the day of her visit.

Several hundred children took part in this competition, with entries from the John Masefield High School, Ledbury Primary School, Bosbury Primary School and Bromesberrow St Mary’s Primary School.

Lisa awarded one of her fabulous 3D bookmarks to all who participated in the competition.

The first prize for the Primary schools went to 10 year old Daniel Conatantinescu from Ledbury Primary School, and the first prize for John Masefied High School went to Megan McRae.

They each received a Lisa Parker figurine.

Lisa was officially welcomed by Ledbury Town Mayor, Cllr Debbie Baker, who said: "It is wonderful to have such a renowned artist visit our town and I am especially proud and delighted with the amount and quality of entries from our local school children for the art competition. This will be a day that we will fondly remember for some time, and I too have been very excited to meet her.”